Machine for untwisting rope and the like



Dec. 11, 1945. J CQRNHER, JR 2,390,923

MACHINE FOR UNTWISTING ROPE AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 15,1945 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor B,- @Mm 413006 JJbrma'srJIZ Dec. 11, 1945. (5. JCORMIER, JR

MACHINE FOR UNTWISTING ROPE AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 15, 1945 2 sheetsheet z [mentor WW 25m Patented Dec. 11, 1945 UNlTED STATES PATENTOFFICE MACHINE FOR UNTWIETING ROPE AND THE LI E 3 Claims.

My invention relate to improvements in machines for taking the twist outof rope, cable and the like, to straighten out the same, the primaryobject in view being to provide a simple form of inexpensive, easilyoperable machine for untwisting twisted rope and cable, particularlyso-called cat line so as to remove kinks therein, obviate wear and tearthereon, and prolong the life of the same.

Other and subordinate objects, also comprehended by my invention,together with the precise nature of my improvements, and the advantagesthereof, will become readily apparent when the succeeding descriptionand claims are read with reference to the drawings accompanying andforming part of this specification.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in end elevation of my improved machine in apreferred embodiment thereof,

Figure 2 is a similar detail view looking at the open end of thecylinder and showing the combined closur disc and rope grip open,

Figure 3 is a view in longitudinal section taken on the line 33 ofFigure 1 and drawn to an enlarged scale,

Figure 4 is a view in front elevation of the machine,

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation of the end clamp for the rope,

Figure 6 is a view in end elevation of said clamp.

Reference being had to the drawings by numerals, the basic element of myimproved machine, as shown, comprises a hollow cylinder I having aclosed end 2 and an open end 3 and which is rotatably mounted in ahorizontal position, in a manner to be described, on a skeleton frame 4.Radial spokes 5 are provided adjacent opposite ends of the cylinder ladapting the same for use as a winding reel.

The frame 4 may take various forms, but preferably comprises end pairsof straight legs 6 diverging downwardly, relatively, in each pair withtop, bottom and intermediate cross bars I, 8, 9, respectively,connecting the same and horizontal upper and lower side bars II], IIconnecting the legs 6 of the pairs upon opposite sides of said frame.

For mounting the cylinder I on said frame 4, the closed end 2 of thecylinder is provided with an axial stub shaft [2 journaled in a suitablebearing l3 upstanding from one top cross bar 1, said shaft beingprovided with a hand crank M for rotating said cylinder l. The open end3 of the cylinder l is supported by a pair of roller bearings l 5suitably mounted in a bar l6 imposed upon the other top cross bar I, andsaid end 3 is rotatably confined by a split band l1 surrounding the samewith its ends fastened, as at l8, to the ends of the bar [6 and ballbearings I9 interposed between said band and the periphery of saidcylinder I,

At the open end 3 of the cylinder l is a combined closure disc and ropegrip 20 hinged to said end, as at 2| for opening and closing. Aswingable right angled latch bar 22 is provided on said end 3 of thecylinder l for hooking over said combined disc and rope grip 20 tomaintain the same,

closed, said bar being provided with a suitable hand screw 23 forturning into a latch bar carrier 24 to maintain the latch bar inlatching position. A radial, outwardly flaring slot 25 is provided inthe combined closure disc and rope grip 20 into which one end of a rope26 may be wedged into the axis of the cylinder I.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a clamp is provided for the other end of arope and which comprises a plate 21 adapted to be attached by screws 28to a Wall 29, or the like, the plate 21 being provided with an axialstud 30 terminating in a cross bar 3|. A pair of substantiallysemi-cylindrical, opposed clamping jaws 32 are slidably mountedintermediate their ends on the cross bar 3| upon opposite sides of thestud 30, respectively, for movement into and from clamping relation tothe rope 25 inserted therebetween. A hand screw 33 extending throughedge ears 34 on said jaws 32 provide for moving said jaws into and fromclamping relation.

The manner in which the described invention is used and operated willnow be briefly described. With one end of the rope 26 secured betweenthe clamping jaws 32, and the combined closure disc and rope grip openedpart way, the other end of the rope 26 is wedged into the slot 25 andsaid combined closure disc and rope grip closed and latched to disposethe free end portion of the rope in the cylinder l. The cylinder I isthen rotated by means of the hand crank M in the proper direction tountwist the rope. Thus, untwisted the rope may then be wound or reeledup on the cylinder I if desired and as shown in Figure 4.

The foregoing will, it is believed, sufiice to impart a clearunderstanding of my invention without further explanation.

Manifestly, the invention, as described, is susceptible of modificationwithout departing from the inventive concept, and right is hereinreserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine for taking the twist out of rope, a base, a hollowcylinder rotatably mounted on said base, means to attach one end of therope to one end of the cylinder in the axis of the same and to extendtherein, and manipulative means to rotate the cylinder, thefirst-mentioned means comprising a closure disc for said end of thecylinder having a radial slot therein into which the rope may be wedged.c

2. In a machine for taking the twist out of rope, a base, a hollowcylinder rotatably mounted on said base, means to attach one end of therope to one end of the cylinder in the axis of the same and to extendtherein, and manipulative means to rotate the cylinder, thefirst-mentioned means comprising a closure disc for said end of thecylinder having a radial slot therein into which the rope may be wedged,said disc being hinged to said end of the cylinder for swingingoutwardly thereof to provide for wedging the rope in the slot andextending a loose end of the rope in the cylinder.

3. In a machine for taking the twist out of rope, a base, a hollowcylinder rotatably mounted on said base, means to attach one end of therope to one end of the cylinder in the axis of the same and to extendtherein, and manipulative 'means to rotate the cylinder, thefirst-mentioned means comprising a closure disc for said end of thecylinder having a radial slot therein into which the rope may be wedged,said disc being hinged to said end of the cylinder for swingingoutwardly thereof to provide for wedging the rope in the slot andextending a loose end of the rope in the cylinder, and a latch on saidcylinder for preventing said disc from swinging outwardly.

GUSTAVE J. CORMIER, JR.

